Norwegian is "very interested" in Boeing's proposed New Midsize Airplane design, says CE Bjorn Kjos. "We're looking at the new middle-of-the-market aircraft," he said Wednesday. The airframer unveiled the initial design of the NMA, also called the 797 by some, at the Paris air show earlier in June. The aircraft would carry 200 to 270 passengers, have a range of 5,000nm and be equipped with engines with 40,000 to 50,000lb of thrust. Norwegian provided Boeing with its "wishes" in terms of specifications and performance of the NMA, says Kjos. However, it has not discussed the possibility of ordering the aircraft with the airframer yet. Kjos says Norwegian is "highly likely" more interested in the NMA than it is in Boeing's newly launched 737 Max 10, which racked up more than 360 orders and commitments in Paris. <br/>
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Norwegian took delivery of its first 2 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, and will deploy the CFM International LEAP-1B-powered aircraft on transatlantic routes starting in July. The airline has 110 MAX 8 aircraft on order. It expects to receive 4 more by the end of 2017. “The 6 aircraft [delivered this year] will operate 12 routes between the north-eastern US and Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Norway,” Norwegian said. The delivery came slightly later than expected because of what the airline described as a “minor technical issue.” Boeing had to temporarily stop 737 MAX flying in May after an issue was discovered with a LEAP-1B component being delivered to CFM by one its suppliers. Norwegian is the second airline in the world to receive the 737 MAX, following a May delivery to Malaysia’s Malindo Air. <br/>
Kuwait Airways is considering adding a flight to Washington DC or Chicago despite mounting US travel restrictions, as the carrier revives long-standing efforts to better compete with its regional rivals. The additions, which may also include new service to Seoul, Manchester, Sarajevo or airports in China, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, are part of a wide-ranging restructuring as Kuwait Air aims to return to profit and lure more high-end customers, chairman Sami Al Rushaid said. There will be a “moderate expansion,” said Al Rushaid, noting some routes may start as early as this year. A reinstatement of a US travel ban on people entering the country from 6 predominantly Muslim nations won’t halt the deliberations. “We will continue with our expansion plans regardless.” <br/>
Virgin Australia's second highest ranking executive is heading for the airline's departure lounge after less than a year in the job. Group executive John Thomas, who was in charge of Virgin's domestic and international operations, will leave the company this week, Virgin confirmed Thursday. It's understood Virgin management decided he was not the right fit for the role. Rob Sharp, CE of Tigerair, will step in for Thomas while the company decides on a replacement. Thomas had a long career as a well-regarded aviation consultant but had no experience as a senior executive of an airline before joining Virgin in September last year as part of a management shake-up. Thomas was seen as a potential replacement for Virgin CE John Borghetti, and his departure will complicate succession planning. <br/>